Levels of Care

| EMT-Basic | EMT-Intermediate | Paramedic |

There are three levels of EMS professionals currently in service across the country ready to respond to your pre-hospital care needs. These three levels are: EMT-Basic, EMT-Intermediate, and Paramedic. Not all levels are found in every state, and at one time there was a suggestion for a fourth level known as First Responder.

The idea of a First Responder was to appeal to firefighters and law enforcement officials who would arrive first on a scene and be able to assess and provide basic emergency care until more advanced help arrived. A lack of interest seems to have killed the idea as almost anyone can receive first responder styled training by obtaining a CPR card and a first aid certification.

In many states the first responder is considered the first public safety official to arrive on scene and assess the situation.

For future consideration there has been talk (though for some time now) of doing away with the EMT-Basic and moving to a Paramedic I and Paramedic II styled response.